Updated: Say what? Google’s gigabit network won’t deliver a gig?

Updated: When is a gigabit not a gigabit? Perhaps when it’s Google’s gigabit network. Speaking today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Google’s Chairman Eric Schmidt said the company’s planned fiber-to-the-home network in Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas) will deliver sustained speeds of between 300 to 500 Mbps. This is still fast, but it’s not the gigabit that Google originally touted. I’ve emailed Google for a bit more clarity on Schmidt’s statements, and will update if I hear back.

Update: Despite being asked by an audience member about Google’s fiber efforts in Kansas City, a Google spokeswoman emailed me to explain that Schmidt wasn’t referring to Google’s network when he discussed the 300-500 Mbps speeds. She emailed, “”He was speaking about the future of fiber, not specifically about Google Fiber. As promised, we will deliver 1 gigabit speeds in Kansas City.” So, perhaps Schmidt was confused, because Google fiber will hit a gig.